Arsenal have reportedly spoken to Real Madrid over the possibility of signing Eden Hazard on loan for the next season.
According to French publication Foot Mercato, Real Madrid have been approached by Premier League club Arsenal to discuss the possibility of a loan deal for struggling winger Eden Hazard in the summer transfer window.
Hazard signed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 after spending seven very successful years at Chelsea. However, his time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been nothing short of a disaster. The Belgian wing-wizard has struggled with never-ending injury issues and a lack of form throughout his stint at the Spanish capital club.
As a result, Hazard has been restricted to just 65 appearances for Real Madrid, in which he has managed a paltry return of six goals and ten assists. The ongoing campaign has been no different for the 31-year-old, who has started just seven La Liga games. Having suffered a new injury recently, the Belgian may have played his last game of the season as he has had to undergo surgery.
Given his unrelenting issues at Real Madrid, Los Blancos are open to loaning Hazard out for the next season to help him rediscover his rhythm and form before offloading him for some fee in 2023. And as per the report, Arsenal have emerged as a potential suitor for the Belgian international.
As per the report, Arsenal have already held meetings with an entourage from Real Madrid to discuss the possibility of a loan deal for Hazard. The Gunners have a good working relationship with the La Liga leaders, having signed Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard on loan agreements previously. They even signed the latter in a permanent deal last year.
Arsenal are hoping to arrange a similar deal for Hazard as well, as Mikel Arteta looks to add more quality to his attacking unit. The north London club have exciting talents manning their flanks in the form of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe. However, there is a lack of an experienced head who can guide them through difficult periods.
Furthermore, Nicolas Pepe has struggled for game-time this season and could be offloaded in the summer for a sum of €30 million. So, a new wide attacker would be a welcome addition at the Emirates Stadium next season. However, signing Hazard could be a risky proposition for Arsenal considering the dip in his form and confidence level over the past three years.
Instead, Arsenal would be better served by going after a player like Leicester City’s James Maddison, who has been linked of late. Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig, who is also on the radars of the north London giants, would be a better addition at the Emirates Stadium.
